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Cpt Sherwood and I are starting a new PBEM using CHS Scenario 155. This will be an Allied strategy thread regarding CHS and focusing especially on early war defense of the SRA. The settings will be as follows:

Allied sub doctrine off
Japanese sub doc off
FoG on
Advanced weather on
Allied Damage Cont on
PDU on
Vary setup off
Dec. 7th surprise on
Reinforcements...historical


HOUSE RULES:

1) 4E bombers on naval attack set to 10,000 ft or higher
2)Allies use discresion on conversion of bomber units to 4Es
3)No entering straights of Malacca until after Singapore falls
4)AC stacking limited to 50x airfield size
5)One port attack on first turn
6)No sub launched invasions
7)Invasions and paradrops limited to base and dot hexes

SITUATION REPORT: 12-7-41


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Cpt Sherwood's Pearl Harbor attack was pretty effective. No BBs sank but the damage is extensive and is spread around quite a bit:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 102
D3A2 Val x 149
B5N2 Kate x 157

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
D3A2 Val: 14 destroyed, 48 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 30 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 20 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed
B-18A Bolo: 7 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 8 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 20 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 7 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
P-26A: 4 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 3 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Cachalot, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 16, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AR Vestal, Bomb hits 1
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 9
AR Medusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Conyngham, Bomb hits 1
MSW Vireo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Dewey, Bomb hits 1
DD Cummings, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Patterson, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD MacDonough, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-25, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Avocet, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP St. Mihiel, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported

Airbase hits 59
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 237

Quite a large number of bomb at torpedo hits. Im sure that Japan will strike a 2nd time to put a few ships under.


No invasion at Wake Island.

Japan invades at Guam.


MALAYA:

Usual airstrike on Singapore....the A6M2s based at Singora fly to provide escort:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 133

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 17

Japan invades at Khota Bharu but its not just the 18th Division....there are several tank, artillery and engineer units. Khota Bharu will fall soon.


PI:

Pretty good airstrike at Clark:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
G3M Nell x 54
G4M1 Betty x 72
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 7 destroyed
P-35A: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 158

Altogether 193 Allied AC are destroyed on the ground today. Overall, the Allies lose 218 AC vs 53 Japanese AC.

Japn invades at the usual places....Batan, Vigan, Aparri and Legaspi.

1) 4E bombers on naval attack set to 10,000 ft or higher
2)Allies use discresion on conversion of bomber units to 4Es

These are must rules!

Hey Tophat! Welcome back to the forums. Havent seen you around for awhile.


SITUATION REPORT: 12-8-41


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Cpt Sherwood orders another strike against Pearl Harbor and this time 2 BBs are sunk:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 114,72

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 68
B5N2 Kate x 134

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 4 destroyed, 19 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 31 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 57
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 3

BB California and BB Oklahoma sink immediately.


KB moves 240 miles west of Oahu and sinks a few Allied transports and auxilliaries.


Guam is captured.



PI:

Another large airstrike at Clark:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
G3M Nell x 52
G4M1 Betty x 76
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 2 destroyed
P-26A: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46


Aparri, Vigan and Legaspi are captured.

I had paid PPs yesterday to activate and load a Philippine division at Cebu to reinforce Jolo but Sherwood captured Jolo today with paratroopers. The division will be instead sent to reinforce Luzon.

This was a good move for Japan as now they have divebombers and Kates positioned to interdict my ships withdrawing from Manila. I attempted to reinforce Jolo to cover my withdrawal but since I was unsuccessful now its " Every ship for themselves".


DEI:

Invasion forces approach Kuching and Amboina. My naval search didnt spot these guys yesterday and now I regret not sending fast transports to Kuching to reinforce. Now it is too late. Torpedo bombers, Martins and 2 RN CLs are sent to Kuching to raise as much havoc as possible with the invasion fleets.

DM Stronghold was sent to mine Kuching but was intercepted and sunk by I-121.

The Cpt places a sub at Palembang to disrupt my TKs but a British ASW TF takes it out at the cost of a MSW:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Palembang at 20,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PC Circe, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Raub
MSW Maryborough
MSW Goulburn
MSW Burnie
MSW Bendigo



CBI:

Japan lands paratroopers at Tavoy. I had staged the AVG to both Tavoy and Vicky Point to intercept possible paratroop transports. The P-40s in fact downed 5 transports and another dozen or so were hit by flak but in the end over 2000 airborne troops landed and tavoys forts were reduced to zero. The AVG is withdrawn as Tavoy should fall tomorrow.

I had sent transports to pick up troops to reinforce Tavoy and Victoria Point but obviously the paratroops beat me too it.

That is a critical early game move for Japan on Andrew Brown's map. The road/RR net bypasses these 2 bases so normal IJA LCU overland occupation is very difficult. If not captured by IJA paratroops in the 1st week of the war the Allies can reinforce with Burma troops and base bombers here at two level 4 airfields making life at Japanese airfields at Bangkok, Kompong Som and even Saigon extremely uncomfortable.


STRATEGY:

Im just starting to get a little better picture of the overall situation here on the 2nd day of the war. What is most conspicuous about the Japanese effort so far is the ABSCENCE of major IJA formations. So far, only the 18th Division at Khota Bharu and the 48th Division at Vigan have been spotted. Sherwood used SNLF/NLG units to capture Aparri and Legaspi.

Most ominously, there is no sign of the 5th Division, the 56th Divison, or the 16th Division which can pre-load before 12/7/41 and be on their way to far off destinations.

With the fast moving IJN transports in CHS these units can arrive in the Central Pacific very quickly. Midway, Johnston and even Hawaii are vulnerable in the central Pacific. It seems as if the Pearl Harbor base unit repairs very slowly in CHS so 3 engineer units are being rushed there to repair the facilities. PBYs have been staged to Wake to give us a better warning of anything that might be arriving via the northern or central Pacific.

In the south Paciifc, Sherwood has staged subs to Palmyra, Canton and Pago Pago. Either he is looking for the USN CVs to show up or its recon for an invasion. Mulitple ASW TFs are sent to Palmyra to remove the Japanese eyes and ears there.

Virtually all American reinforcements from the west coast are being sent to the Hawaiian Islands. For now, the south Paciifc is on its own.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-9-41


CENTRAL/SOUTH PACIFIC:

KB retires to the west leaving a swath of death and destruction. The airfield at Pearl is 100% damaged from the attacks of 12/7-12/8 and curiously the engineer and base force units at Pearl didnt repair a single damage point yesterday.

USN ASW TFs sink the IJN sub at Palmyra:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Palmyra at 110,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
DMS Long
DMS Elliot
DMS Hopkins
DMS Dorsey
DMS Southard

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palmyra at 110,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor
DMS Perry

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palmyra at 110,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Selfridge
DD Blue
DD Phelps
DD Jarvis
DD Henley


An Australian Coy force at Kavieng is being shipped to Rabaul to beef up the defenses there. CA Louisville is sent to cover the operation but is sunk by a "Hole in One" shot from a RO sub at rabaul:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 62,90

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Japan captures Makin today.




CBI:

Tavoy holds out for another day against the paratroopers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tavoy

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2462 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Defending force 860 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 64 - adjusted assault: 4

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)



Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported


Japan launches an attack at Hong Kong and reduces the forts there:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36542 troops, 199 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 17605 troops, 127 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 319

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese max assault: 758 - adjusted assault: 495

Allied max defense: 319 - adjusted defense: 415

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1


MALAYA:

Sherwood captures Khota Bharu today:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kota Bharu

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35535 troops, 196 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value =
580

Defending force 3533 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese max assault: 612 - adjusted assault: 1060

Allied max defense: 11 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 117 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!


Immediately over 30 fighters and 65 bombers are staged into Khota Bharu. The RAF begins its evacuation from Malayan airfields to Burma. The airspace over Singapore cannot be contested at this time.

2 consecutive days of torpedo attacks by 20 Vildebeests on the Japanese BB surface TF at Khota Bharu have netted but a single hit on a CL:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
Vildebeest IV x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 1 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singora at 24,43


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 7
Vildebeest IV x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire



DEI:

Fortunately for the Allies, the Japanese invasion of Kuching falls 60 miles short of its destination today....the invasion is being covered by 4 BBs so the 2 RN CLs and 2 DDs are ordered to withdraw. The British and Dutch naval bombers staged in and around Kuching score but a couple of hits on the auxilliary ships:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 7


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo
AK Koki Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 11
T.IVa x 9
Martin 139 x 13


Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru
AP Nichiran Maru
AK Koki Maru
AK Tonegawa Maru
DD Amagiri
MSW W.4
AK Meikai Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 9
T.IVa x 8
Martin 139 x 8


Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Martin 139: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 2
Hudson I x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Kitakami


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,55


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
Buffalo I x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Japan invades at Menado. Baby KB covers the invasion and was sighted yesterday. About 20 bombers escorted by Brewsters were staged into the area today but no hits were scored on Baby KB:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
Martin 139 x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
Martin 139 x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
CVE Hosho


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manado at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CVL Zuiho


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Manado, 39,67, firing at TF 123
TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Manado, 39,67


7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1395 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 1811 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58



INTEL:

I had been so busy moving units at the start of the game that I forgot to check the SigInt. I went back and checked yesterday's sigint and got a better picture of Cpt Sherwood's intentions.

The 33rd Road Construction Battalion was loaded on an AP for Mersing and the 15th Aviation Regiment was loaded on an AP for Palembang.

Obviously, the Cpt is planning a sea invasion on the east coast of Malaya to cut off the bulk of my army there. This validates my 12/8 decision to conduct a general withdrawal of all LCUs in Malaya back to Singapore. I only hope that the 5th Division and some of the other large IJA formations notably absent from the early OOB show up at Mersing.

The loading of the 15th Aviation Regiment indicates an early move on Palembang....probably soon after the capture of Kuching. I have been buying Dutch LCUs with PPs and shipping them to Palembang although with the capture of Khota Bharu and staging of AC there this will become more problematic. I have also been trying to ship supplies, oil and resources to Singapore but with the capture of Kuching in 2 days this will become difficult.

An invasion TF was spotted 300 miles west of Wake Island today heading SE. I dont know if this is an isolated assault TF or just a part of something much bigger.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-10-41


Cpt Sherwood really steps up the tempo today.


CBI:

Despite heavy Allied bombing of the paratroopers Japan captures Tavoy today:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tavoy

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2394 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Defending force 840 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 70 - adjusted assault: 10

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tavoy base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


Another deliberate assault at Hong Kong reduces the defenses:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35493 troops, 184 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 646

Defending force 17049 troops, 112 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 307

Japanese max assault: 663 - adjusted assault: 661

Allied max defense: 277 - adjusted defense: 334

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
1027 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


PI:

Japan captures Laoag and invades at Naga:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Naga, 44,53, firing at TF 57
TF 57 troops unloading over beach at Naga, 44,53


121 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Okuyo Maru, Shell hits 1
PG Busho Maru

Japanese ground losses:
880 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


My attempt to drop off reinforcements and supplies at Lucena is hit hard by Japanese naval bombers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lucena at 43,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
D3A2 Val x 4
Ki-27 Nate x 23

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Don Esteban, Bomb hits 1
AK Dumaguete, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Panay, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Parcita, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lucena at 43,53

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 28

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged


Allied Ships
AK Governor Smith, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Don Esteban, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Parcita, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Panay, on fire


DEI:

Japan lands at Kuching, Miri, Brunei,Wewak and Hollandia.

With the 4th massed Allied torpedo attack of the war a fish is finally landed on an IJN BB:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 27,56


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
T.IVa x 4
Martin 139 x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 3 damaged
T.IVa: 4 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro


The Japanese assault at Menado reduces the fortifications:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1730 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Defending force 2219 troops, 18 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Japanese max assault: 106 - adjusted assault: 17

Allied max defense: 42 - adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



OBSERVATIONS:

The arrival of the IJA 16th Division at Naga brings a little more clarity to the situation. Hopefully the 5th Division shows up in a few days at Mersing and the threat to the central Pacific would be greatly diminished(for a couple of weeks anyway until troops loaded on 12/8/41 start showing up everywhere). 6 of the IJN BBs are in the South China Sea and 2 are with KB. That leaves the whereabouts of only 2 BBs unknown...the Nagato and Mutsu.

3 TFs appeared off Wake Island today so in all probablity it will be captured tomorrow. KB disappeared today west of Johnston Island whereabouts unknown.

Cpt Sherwood has massed numerous subs(8-9) in a very small area off the east coast of Sumatra, Singapore and the western Java Sea making life very hazardous for my AKs and APs. That combined with the naval bombers at Singora and Khota Bharu has restricted my resupply efforts to Singapore. I made one final effort today to ship supply, oil and resources to Singapore. Tomorrow Kuching will fall and after Sherwood stages naval bombers there the following day any naval transport/movement will be impossible in the South China Sea and the northern Java Sea(at least until my 4Es show up in 3 weeks to shut down his airfields).

The Captain has been very aggressive with his deployment of Baby KB. Yesterday I hit Baby KB with 3 airstrikes for no result off Menado and today Sherwood moved it off the east coast of Borneo to pummel Allied shipping fleeing south from Manila through the Celebes Sea. I cant have Baby KB sitting in the middle of the DEI with no concern for safety so over 60 Allied naval bombers and 35 fighters were staged to Balikpappan and Tarakan. We will see if Baby KB remains in harm's way tomorrow.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-11-41


SUB/ASW WAR


Both Japan and the Allies make full use of their submarine fleets today as the battle rages on above and below the ocean's surface across the Pacific:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,54

Japanese Ships
AK Nansin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS O19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,46

Japanese Ships
PG Seikyo Maru.
PG Seisho Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
MSW Whippoorwill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 137,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
AO Kaskaskia
DD Clark

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
AK Sipora, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kuching at 27,56

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
DD Kuretake
DD Wakatake
DD Mikazuki
CL Oi

Allied Ships
SS O20, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 53,40

Japanese Ships
PG Unkai Maru #1
PG Tosho Maru
PG Shosei Maru
PG Shinko Maru #1
PG Nishho Maru
PG Hayakafuku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon, hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 62,90

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
AK Malahuka, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, hits 1

Allied Ships
AP Montoro, Shell hits 6, on fire


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
AK Sibolga, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 136,54

Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
AO Kaskaskia, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Clark
TK H. M. Storey

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 34,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-160

Allied Ships
AK Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 48,48

Japanese Ships
AP Tientsin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Shark

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,46

Japanese Ships
TK Itsukushima Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,52

Japanese Ships
SS I-124

Allied Ships
AK Van der Lijn, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,54

Japanese Ships
SS I-154

Allied Ships
AK Cremer, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
AK Candesa, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 28,54

Allied Ships
SS O19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kuching at 27,56

Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
SS O20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 53,40

Japanese Ships
PG Shinko Maru #1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Unkai Maru #1
PG Tosho Maru
PG Shosei Maru
PG Nishho Maru
PG Hayakafuku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
AP Basilan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
AK Kedah, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kuching at 27,56

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
SS O20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Legaspi at 45,54

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 38, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,54

Japanese Ships
AP Nitta Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 24,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage



DEI:

The trap that was set for Baby KB backfired. CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho and CVE Hosho withdrew NE out of range of Balikpappan bombers so only the Tarakan force went in. The 16 fighter escort flew with only 3 Hudson bombers leaving the 25 Martins to their fate. Most of the Tarakan based Martins attacked targets on the NORTH shore of Brunei and the few that hit Baby KB went in piecemeal:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,63

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 8
Brewster 339D x 8
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 4 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,63

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 4
Hudson I x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,63

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
CS Mizuho


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,63

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio
PG Edo Maru


This little fiasco cost me 7 Brewsters, 7 Demons and 6 Martins. I was worried about mixing plane types as Ive seen this type of thing happen before and in retrospect should have left the Hudsons at home. Well maybe this sent a message to the Captain.....Baby KB appears to be withdrawing to the east.


Our torpedo bomber trap at Kuching fared little better. With 4 IJN BBs stacked at Kuching our 21 Vildebeests and 8 Swordfish managed only a couple of hits against auxilliary ships:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 27,56


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 6
Vildebeest IV x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 5 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Ise


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 27,56


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 11


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Myoho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hikade Maru
AP Nichiran Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 27,56


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 27,56


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,54


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Chihaya Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Japan captures Brunei, Miri, Biak and Hollandia today.



However the assault at Menado doesnt fare as well:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1609 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Defending force 2029 troops, 14 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese max assault: 96 - adjusted assault: 12

Allied max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

This keeps Japanese airpower out of the Celebes for another day or so.



PI:

The Allies begin a withdrawal from Naga to Lucena but not before Cpt Sherwood launches an attack on our rear guard:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20605 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 462

Defending force 4397 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134

Japanese max assault: 970 - adjusted assault: 672

Allied max defense: 142 - adjusted defense: 271

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Guns lost 18



I ordered a B-17 strike on Jolo to suppress the Kates there that are wreaking havoc on our ship withdrawal from Manila but half the B-17s dont fly and without recon the effects are nil:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Jolo Island , at 39,59

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10
B-17D Fortress x 5
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1


The 4 B-17 groups that started in the Philippines will now be withdrawn to Soerabaja where 3 will be switched over to LB-30s and the 4th will be filled out to max TOE.




CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Sherwood commits the South Seas Detachment to an invasion of Wake and the island is quickly captured. KB shows up to deliver an aerial bombardment so its location has been pinpointed to a position 240mi SE of Wake:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 85,72, firing at TF 16
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 85,72


156 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta
AP Kongo Maru, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 85,72, firing at TF 16
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 85,72


71 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Hayate

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 85,72, firing at TF 20
TF 20 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 85,72


462 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30, Shell hits 5
PC Ch 29, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Nichiai Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Monji Maru, Shell hits 11, on fire
PG Shotoku Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PC Sonan Maru #5, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
663 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Detachment, 1st USMC Defense Battalion, at 85,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8138 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 190

Defending force 2816 troops, 53 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese max assault: 206 - adjusted assault: 180

Allied max defense: 2 - adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 45 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
2346 casualties reported
Guns lost 66
Vehicles lost 7



OBSERVATIONS:

The commitment of the South Seas Detachment to the Wake operation is huge. The SSD is the most powerful Japanese LCU in the central Pacific. With the SSD in Wake, Sherwood doesnt have enough force to take Rabaul or Port Moresby unless he commits some of the SAA LCUs. On top of that, the Allies have reinforced Rabaul with the Aussie Coy unit that starts at Kavieng so an even greater Japanese effort will be required to be successful here.

The USN CVs have not yet been located by Japan(there was one spotting report by a Glen but it reported erroneous information) so Sherwood cannot assume an unopposed advance into Rabaul. In addition, one of the two early war Allied "Wonder Weapons" in CHS will begin arriving in Australia in a few days....the dreaded A-24s(the other Wonder Weapon is the A-29 Hudson and they are currently staging across the Pacific). Even IJN CAs are vulnerable to the dreaded A-24 if not given fighter CAP.

According to today's sighting reports the KB is still heading west so maybe Sherwood is indeed going to commit his CVs to covering the Rabaul operations.

At any rate, this is greatly reducing the threat to the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu is slowly beginning to recover. After the 2nd Japanese airstrike on 12/8/41 Oahu airfields had 100% damage. No damage was repaired on the 9th so Adm Kimmel was sacked and Adm Nimitz was promoted to CINC CENTPAC. In the 2 days following the airfield damage has been reduced to 85% so hopefully with the arrival in a week or so of 3 additional engineer units from the West Coast the airfield can be up and running in a couple of weeks. Heavy minefields have been laid on Midway, Johnston and throughout the Hawaiian Islands. CD units are on their way to Johnston, Palmyra and Canton Islands. The small Fanning Island detachment has been sent to Palmyra. Marine paratroopers from San Diego are being shipped to Canton while the 1st USMC Division is being transported to the Hawaiian Islands.

Convoys carrying over 80,000 supply and 9 air groups are leaving ports in California today heading to Oahu. Also, a Corp HQ on the West Coast was purchased with PPs and will be sent to Oahu to double the combat effectiveness there.

Over half a dozen 4E bomber groups are currently staging across the Pacific to join the 4 B-17 groups that will be refitting in Java.

Major supply depots of 20,000 plus supply are being established at Soerabaja and Brisbane and these 2 bases will be used as upgrade/reinforcement centers for Allied LCUs and air groups.

[:D] Haven't been around much since the 4E Death you rained down upon me! Yep,taken me awhile to recover from the thrashing.

How do you like the way CHS plays? I do like the map better than stock.

Tophat....Andrew Brown has a link to his CHS Web Site on the WitP Home Page.All the CHS changes are discussed there. You would appreciate the fact that Allied early war 4E bomber replacements have been greatly reduced....from 95/mo in stock to 27/mo in CHS. The bomb loads have been reduced also. There have been considerable changes to the OOBs, aircraft ranges and performance and also weapon effects. To me it almost feels like playing WitP again for the first time. Transport capability has been reduced by 30% for both sides. Allied supply has been greatly curtailed at the start and with the the addition of the Middle East to the mapboard SEAC reinforcements and supply have much farther to travel before reaching the war zones.

Overall, I think that CHS slows down both the initial Japanese expansion and also the Allied response. To me the game has a more "Histrorical" feel with the greater detail and accuracy to the OOBs. You might also want to check the Big B scenarios....they also look very good and can be used with Andrew Brown's map.



SITUATION REPORT: 12/12-12/13/41


PI:

3 AKs carrying 2500 supply reach Manila during the night so over 30 P-40s are staged there to cover the unloading. Not only do the Allies successfully unload all their supplies but they also score their first A2A victory of the war:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-27 Nate x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 11 destroyed


Japan walks into Naga unopposed as the Philippine troops withdraw to Lucena.

In northern Luzon, IJA troops enter San Fernando for the first time looking for "Valley Girls".


CBI:

Hong Kong finally surrenders and 21,000 Commonwealth troops are marched off into captivity:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34058 troops, 171 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 576

Defending force 15953 troops, 80 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 273

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 587 - adjusted assault: 467

Allied max defense: 215 - adjusted defense: 190

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
21751 casualties reported
Guns lost 49


The Chinese guerrilla units have been ordered to cut every road and rail line they can reach. Chinese units have been moved into front line Japanese controlled cities at Ningpo and Hangchow to tie down IJA troops and occupy Sherwoods attention.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the Chinese corps are being organized into 3 armies for offensive action:

ARMY GROUP NORTH: Objective Kaifeng

ARMY GROUP CENTER: Objective Ichang

ARMY GROUP SOUTH: Objective Nanchang




CENTRAL PACIFIC:

Fairly quiet here. KB is spotted refueling at Kwajalein by SS Triton.

We continue to reinforce Rabaul.



DEI:

Japan captures Wewak but is repulsed at both Kuching and Menado:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manado

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1344 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Defending force 1904 troops, 12 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese max assault: 78 - adjusted assault: 10

Allied max defense: 36 - adjusted defense: 40

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported


OBSERVATIONS:

Kuching has held out much longer than I had anticipated and I regret curtailling the large scale resupply effort to Singapore prematurely. Still some supply, oil and resources have gotten through and 4 Dutch LCUs have been evacuated from northern Sumatra to Palembang. The IJN subs are incredibly effective and have taken their toll on our cruddy AKs throughout the area. As soon as Sherwood takes Kuching its Game Over in the South China Sea. The Cpt bombarded our torpedo bomber base at Singkawang and destroyed 7 Vildebeests on the ground but thankfully the Swordfish and TV.IVas were unscathed. The torpedo bombers will be rebased to southern Borneo in case Mini KB returns to the area.

Air losses are running around 350 Allied AC to 175 Japanese AC...about 2:1 although nearly 200 of our losses occured on 12/7/41. The Allies have a lot of Brewster and Martin replacements to absorb but the lack of supply in Java has hampered our replacement capabilities. Sherwoods aggressive employment of Mini KB, subs and naval bombers has greatly curtailed our extraction of oil and supplies out of Borneo and the Celebes. Still, we should have 20,000 supply in Soerabaja within a week and then our air groups should rapidly rebuild. Normally I pull at least 100,000 oil out of the DEI for Australia(and also to keep it out of Japanese TKs) but I will be lucky to extract 30,000 oil in this game.

Ship losses are running about 70 Allied to 10 Japanese...though the vast majority of my losses are PT boats, PGs, PCs and cruddy AKs(many sail powered).

SITUATION REPORT: 12-15-41


DEI:


Cpt Sherwood brings reinforcements, supplies and naval bombardments to both Kuching and Menado and captures both after prolonged sieges.

Nells and Bettys escorted by A6M2s now cover most of the Java Sea and Japan closes down the Allied supply/resource ATM at Toboali.

Japan also captures Aitape and Manokwari.


MALAYA:

50,000 IJA troops massed at Alor Star roll through the mostly evacuated city with minimal resistance. The 5th Infantry Division is finally spotted in action here.

Meanwhile, the 18th Infantry Division steamrolls its way down the central Malayan railroad.

Most of the Commonwealth troops in Malaya have reached Singapore and are busy fortifying.

Sherwood continues to suppress the airfield at Singapore with Sallys based at Khota Bharu.


PI:

Japan captures San Fernando and forces the Philippino defenders back to Lingayen.

The Philippino 81st Reserve Division, originally stationed in Cebu, has been transferred in its entirety to Lucena.

No Japanese activity in Mindanao yet.


CENTPAC/SOPAC:

Relatively quiet the last couple of days. No sign of KB since it was spotted at Kwajalein on 12/13. The airfield damage ar Pearl Harbor has been repaired to 55% and the 802nd EAB should reach Oahu tomorrow. RCTs are just now reaching Midway and Johnston Island.

With the IJA 5th Infantry Division finally being ID'd at Khota Bharu most of the SAA formations have been accounted for and the threat to the central Pacific has been greatly diminished. The Allies will continue to move regiments and RCTs to Lahaina, Hilo, Palmyra and Canton but the 1st USMC Division can be safely diverted now to New Caledonia.

Curiously, there has been no Japanese activity south of Truk so far in the war. The Allies continue to reinforce Rabaul.



CBI:

Sherwood attempts to force the Chinese out of Hangchow and Ningpo but is unsuccessful. Hopefully Sherwood diverts additional Japanese forces to these cities so that the main Chinese objectives at Nanchang, Ichang and Kaifeng are less heavily defended.

Sherwood has massed paratroopers and transports at Tavoy.....Id bet that his next target is Port Blair on Andaman Island followed by airdrops in Burma. Two IJA LCUs advance along the trail from Rahaeng to Moulmein....the 33rd Infantry Division is probably involved here.

Burma is very low priority for the Allies. We will defend but will withdraw along our supply lines towards India if heavily attacked. No attempt will be made to defend Rangoon. The SEAC Chinese divisions are heading towards Lashio and if they arrive in time we will attempt to hang on to Mandalay. Akyab is the one base that SEAC will make a serious attempt to hold in Burma.

In India, all the coastal cities are garrisoned and being fortified. SEAC HQ has been relocated to Calcutta and this will become the center to take on replacements and rebuild the depleted Indian divisions. The only Indian LCU that will be commited to the defense of the SRA is the Gurka brigade which is currently being loaded on fast transports at Madras. When the 18th UK Division arrives a regiment may be sent to Java.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-17-41


MALAYA:

Japan captures empty Georgetown and Kuantan as Commonwealth troops complete their withdrawal into Singapore.

I had been bombing Tavoy with most of the RAF the last couple of days to suppress the paratroopers and transports there. Today Cpt Sherwood staged 90 A6M2s and 50 Oscars to Tavoy and gave the RAF a bloody nose:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 25
Blenheim I x 28
Blenheim IV x 21
Hudson I x 18
IL-4c x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim I: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
Blenheim IV: 13 destroyed
Hudson I: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
IL-4c: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Runway hits 6


The RAF will need to withdraw to India to replace its losses. The only way to beat massed A6M2s is with massed 4Es and the USAAF bombers should become operational in the SRA in about a week.


PI:

Sherwood invades at Cayagan and captures Lamon Bay.

Japanese troops invest Allied defensive positions at Lucena and Baguio.



SOUTH/CENTRAL PACIFIC:

All quiet here with no sign of KB anywhere. Lots of transports are massed at Truk but no movement towards Rabaul so far.

B-17s and A-29s stage into Australia from New Caledonia.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-20-41


THE AIR WAR:

The Allied air effort has been fairly quiet since the RAF was bloodied on 12/17/41.


The four B-17 groups that began the war in the Philippines have finally refitted and upgraded and went into action for the first time today against Khota Bharu:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 10
B-17D Fortress x 10
LB-30 Liberator x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 5 destroyed
C5M Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

18 Japanese aircraft are destroyed on the ground and overall Japan loses 29 AC today vs 9 Allied. In the first 2 weeks of the war the Allies have lost 450 AC vs 250 Japanese.

Another 85 heavy bombers stage into the southern DEI today as the USAAF prepares for a much larger aerial offensive.


MALAYA:

Taiping is captured as Japan continues to advance along both the coastal and central railroads in Malaya.


PI:

A stalemate of sorts had been in effect in both Luzon and Mindanao. The Americans and Philippinos had amassed about 500 AV at Lingayen and another 600 AV at Lucena and had held fast against repeated Japanese assaults. Today however, a total of 5 IJA LCUs reached Baguio and the Allies are compelled to retreat immediately from northern Luzon into Clark Field before further recon can be performed.

Lucena is still holding firm as is Cayagan.

IJN transports approach Davao.


DEI:

Mini KB approaches the southern DEI...possibly the beginning of an amphibious offensive here. Usually Japan goes for Amboina before taking Kendari and Koepang so Ive heavily reinforced here with LCUs hoping to bog Cpt Sherwood down for a bit.

SITUATION REPORT: 12-21-41

THE AIR WAR:

After Cpt Sherwood decimated the RAF at Tavoy with a "Cap Trap" on 12/17, the Allies repaid the favor at Singapore today with massed P-40Bs:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-21-II Sally x 47

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1


The USAAF Far Eastern heavy bombers turn their sights on Kuching today:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 27,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
B-17D Fortress x 12
LB-30 Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23


Altogether Japan loses 45 AC today vs 10 Allied AC. 90+ USAAF heavies stage into the northern DEI today to set up a raid on the heart of pre-war Imperial Japan.


PI:

The Allies retreat from Lingayen to Clark in good order and the IJA threat to Baguio turns out to be an armored regiment with some mortar battalions......thats what I deserve for making a major redeployment without adequate recon. Not only could the Allies have held out in Lingayen for another week at least.....Im now in danger of having 2 Philippino divisions cut off in Baguio.